Writing good prompts is the key to getting great results from AI image generators like DALL-E and Stable Diffusion. However, coming up with effective prompts can be challenging for beginners.
This article provides useful prompt examples and formatting tips to help you quickly become an expert at writing prompts that produce stunning AI art. I’ve been experimenting with AI art for months now, so I’m happy to share what I’ve learned from my experience.
Basic Prompt Structure
The basic structure of an AI art prompt has 3 main components:
Subject
This describes the main focus of the image. For example:
- A cute baby owl with big eyes
- An astronaut riding a horse on Mars
Style/Medium
This specifies the desired art style and medium. Some examples:
- Oil painting in the style of Van Gogh
- 3D digital illustration with depth of field
Details
Extra descriptive details about the subject. For instance:
- The owl is sitting in a tree hollow, tufts on its head are blowing in the wind
- The astronaut’s spacesuit is red and the horse is brown with white socks
The more details the better! Specifics really help the AI generate exactly what you imagine.
Formatting Tips
Here are some key formatting tips to refine your prompts:
Parentheses
Wrap keywords in parentheses to tell the AI to pay more attention to that term.
For example: (majestic) (regal) (intricate)
Brackets
Use brackets around words or phrases you want the AI to avoid including.
For example: [blurry background] [poorly drawn face]
Colon Numbers
Append colon numbers to give keywords different weights. Higher numbers mean more importance.
For example: (mountains:1.2) (lake:0.8)
Advanced Prompting Techniques
Once you’ve got the basics down, here are some advanced techniques that can take your prompts to the next level:
Chaining Descriptors
Use commas, semicolons or dashes to string multiple descriptors together.
For example: majestic, powerful owl; intricate details; hyperrealistic
Comparisons
Compare your subject to well-known people, places or things.
For example: an astronaut riding a horse, like Theodore Roosevelt but on Mars
Storytelling
Add a mini story to set the scene and provide more context.
For example: a fairytale scene where an elf maiden in a forest cottage welcomes a brave knight.
Prompt Examples To Get You Started
Hopefully those tips give you ideas for writing your own creative prompts! Here are a few more examples to spark your inspiration:
Landscapes
- (lush green hills) and (quaint cottage) in Ireland; depth of field; by Thomas Kinkade
- (Majestic snow-capped mountains) mirroring perfectly in a (still turquoise lake) at sunrise; by Bob Ross
Portraits
- (Regal queen) with (intricate headpiece) and (flowing red gown); by Annie Leibovitz
- (Brooding antihero protagonist) in dark shadows with (cyberpunk neon lighting); trending on ArtStation
Still Life
- (Colorful macarons) and (pastel flowers) against a soft pink background; soft lighting; by Henri Matisse
The key is being descriptive and specific. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to try unusual combinations!
Useful Websites
Here are some great sites for guidance with writing AI prompts:
- NightCafe Creator – Prompt examples and tips
- PromptHero – Searchable database of top community prompts
- PromptMania – Prompt generator with creative ideas
Keep practicing and developing your prompting skills. With a bit of experimentation, you’ll be making masterpieces in no time!